U.S. patent number 7,775,573 [Application Number 11/744,474] was granted by the patent office on 2010-08-17 for automatic deploying handle.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Magna International Inc.. Invention is credited to Clarence P. Lipke, Timothy F. O'Brien.
United States Patent |
7,775,573 |
Lipke , et al. |
August 17, 2010 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Automatic deploying handle
Abstract
A trim assembly is disclosed. The trim assembly includes a
vehicular trim panel and a portion mounted to the vehicular trim
panel that is movable between a stowed position and a deployed
position relative the vehicular trim panel. The portion is defined
to include a shape-changing polymer. The assembly also includes an
energy transfer device that provides energy to the shape-changing
polymer to cause movement of the portion between the stowed
position and the deployed position. A method is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Lipke; Clarence P. (Fenton,
MI), O'Brien; Timothy F. (White Lake, MI) |
Assignee: |
Magna International Inc.
(Aurora, CA)
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Family
ID: |
38660535 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/744,474 |
Filed: |
May 4, 2007 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20070257499 A1 |
Nov 8, 2007 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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60746405 |
May 4, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
296/1.02;
296/214 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N
3/026 (20130101); B60N 3/023 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60R
13/02 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;296/1.02,146.7,214,1.08,187.03 ;16/110.1,446 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Pape; Joseph D
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn
LLP
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of earlier filed U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/746,405, filed May 4, 2006,
which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A trim assembly, comprising: a vehicular trim panel; a portion
mounted to the vehicular trim panel that is movable between a
stowed position and a deployed position relative the vehicular trim
panel, wherein the portion is defined to include a shape-changing
polymer; and an energy transfer device that provides energy to the
shape-changing polymer to cause movement of said portion between
said stowed position and said deployed position, wherein said
vehicular trim panel is a headliner, wherein said portion is a
handle that is mounted to the headliner by a first mount at a first
junction, and a second mount at a second junction.
2. The trim assembly according to claim 1, wherein said energy
transfer device includes a pair of electrodes, wherein said shape
changing polymer includes a plastic composite that is responsive to
electricity provided by the pair of electrodes to cause movement of
said portion between said stowed position and said deployed
position.
3. The trim assembly according to claim 2, wherein said plastic
composite shape changing polymer is selected from the group
consisting of ferroelectric polymers, electrets, dielectric
elastomers, and electrostictive graft elastomers.
4. The trim assembly according to claim 2, wherein said plastic
composite shape changing polymer is an ionic plastic composite
shape changing polymer, wherein said ionic plastic composite shape
changing polymer is selected from the group consisting of ionic
polymer gels, ionomeric poylmer-metal composites, conductive
polymers, and carbon nanotubes.
5. The trim assembly according to claim 1 further comprising
current-carrying conductors disposed in the vehicular trim panel
that provides energy to said energy transfer device.
6. The trim assembly according to claim 1, wherein the vehicular
trim panel includes a recess corresponding to a contour of the
portion for receiving the portion when the portion is moved to the
stowed position, wherein, upon receipt of the portion in the
recess, a surface of the portion is substantially planar with an
A-surface of the vehicular trim panel to provide a flush surface
appearance of said vehicular trim panel.
7. The trim assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a
sensor that detects a pre-defined condition or activity, wherein,
detection of said pre-defined condition or activity causes said
energy transfer device to provide energy to said shape-changing
polymer to cause movement of said portion between said stowed
position and said deployed position.
8. The trim assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a
shape-imparter arranged in said portion, wherein the shape-imparter
includes a spring.
9. A trim assembly, comprising: a vehicular trim panel; a portion
mounted to the vehicular trim panel that is movable between a
stowed position and a deployed position relative the vehicular trim
panel; and means for expanding and contracting the portion to move
the portion between, respectively, said deployed position and said
stowed position wherein said vehicular trim panel is a headliner,
wherein said portion is a handle that is mounted to the headliner
by a first mount at a first junction, and a second mount at a
second junction.
10. The trim assembly according to claim 9, wherein said means for
expanding and contracting the portion includes a shape-changing
polymer that is in communication with an energy transfer device
that provides energy to the shape-changing polymer, wherein the
portion includes the shape-changing polymer.
11. The trim assembly according to claim 10, wherein said energy
transfer device includes a pair of electrodes, wherein said shape
changing polymer includes a plastic composite that is responsive to
electricity provided by the pair of electrodes to cause movement of
said portion between said stowed position and said deployed
position.
12. The trim assembly according to claim 11, wherein said plastic
composite shape changing polymer is selected from the group
consisting of ferroelectric polymers, electrets, dielectric
elastomers, and electrostictive graft elastomers.
13. The trim assembly according to claim 11, wherein said plastic
composite shape changing polymer is an ionic plastic composite
shape changing polymer, wherein said ionic plastic composite shape
changing polymer is selected from the group consisting of ionic
polymer gels, ionomeric poylmer-metal composites, conductive
polymers, and carbon nanotubes.
14. The trim assembly according to claim 10 further comprising
current-carrying conductors disposed in the vehicular trim panel
that provides energy to said energy transfer device.
15. The trim assembly according to claim 9, wherein the vehicular
trim panel includes a recess corresponding to a contour of the
portion for receiving the portion when the portion is moved to the
stowed position, wherein, upon receipt of the portion in the
recess, a surface of the portion is substantially planar with an
A-surface of the vehicular trim panel to provide a flush surface
appearance of said vehicular trim panel.
16. The trim assembly according to claim 9 further comprising means
for imparting expansion and contraction of said portion relative
said vehicular trim panel.
17. The trim assembly according to claim 16, wherein said means for
imparting expansion and contraction includes a sensor that detects
a pre-defined condition or activity, wherein, detection of said
condition or pre-defined activity causes said energy transfer
device to provide energy to said shape-changing polymer to cause
movement of said portion between said stowed position and said
deployed position.
18. The trim assembly according to claim 9 further comprising a
shape-imparter arranged in said portion, wherein the shape-imparter
includes a spring.
19. A method for imparting movement to a component of a trim
assembly, comprising the steps of: mounting a portion including a
shape-changing polymer to a vehicular trim panel; and moving said
portion between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein
movement of said portion to a stowed position is provided by
contracting said shape-changing polymer, wherein movement of said
portion to said deployed position is provided by expanding said
shape-changing polymer, wherein movement between contracting and
expanding movement of the portion is conditional anon sensing fined
condition or activity, wherein the sensing step includes sensing
that a passenger compartment door is moved from a closed position
to an open position.
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the contracting step
includes ceasing a supply of energy from an energy transfer device
to the shape-changing polymer, wherein the expanding step includes
providing a supply of energy from an energy transfer device to the
shape-changing polymer.
21. The method according to claim 19 further comprising the steps
of moving said portion into a recess formed in the vehicular trim
panel when the portion is moved to said stowed position; and
providing a flush surface appearance of said vehicular trim
panel.
22. The method according to claim 19, wherein the sensing step
includes sensing movement of an object that is proximate the
portion.
23. The method according to claim 19, wherein the sensing step
includes sensing a turning motion of a vehicle.
24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the sensing of the
turning motion of the vehicle includes sensing a change in tire
pressure.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to an automatic deploying portion and to an
automatic deploying handle for a vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of
example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle having an automatic
deploying handle in a stowed position and according to an
embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle having an automatic
deploying handle from FIG. 1 in a deployed position and according
to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle and handle taken
substantially along lines 3-3 FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of
the invention; and
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle and handle taken
substantially along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment
of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrates a vehicle 10 having an automatic,
self-deploying portion 12 arranged in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 illustrate the
portion 12 in a stowed position and FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 illustrate
the portion 12 in a deployed position.
In an embodiment, the portion 12 is deployably-arranged upon a
vehicular panel 14. As illustrated and without limitation,
vehicular panel 14 may be a vehicular headliner 16 or a panel that
supports a headliner (e.g., a roof or roof portion of a vehicle).
By this disclosure, it is recognized that the portion 12 may be,
for example, a handle, which is commonly referred to in the art as
a grab handle.
According to an embodiment, the handle 12 may be arranged on the
interior, or, alternatively, on the exterior of the vehicle 10.
Thus, it will be appreciated that although the vehicle panel 14 is
illustrated, according to an embodiment, as an interior trim panel,
the vehicle panel 14 may alternatively provide an exterior panel of
the vehicle.
For example and without limitation, the portion 12 is not limited
to a handle, and, may be provided in the alternative as a closure
panel, such as, for example a door. In application, if the portion
12 is a door, the door may be arranged and function as a closure
member for a compartment, such as, for example, a glove box, a
storage container or the like.
For purposes of convenience, the portion 12 is referred to
hereinafter as a handle 12. In addition, the vehicular panel 14
will be referenced herein as vehicular headliner 16. It is
recognized that handle 12 and vehicular panel 14 shall be entitled
to the broad spirit and scope of the foregoing examples such that
the invention should not be so limited to the following exemplary
embodiment and terminology.
With specific reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, in an embodiment, handle
12 includes a shape changing polymer 18 (e.g, a plastic composite
that moves in response to electricity as described more fully
below) and a pair of electrodes 20, 22 adapted to transfer energy
within shape changing polymer 18 to excite shape changing polymer
18. Upon considering this disclosure, one of ordinary skill will
discern various handle configurations to deploy and stow handle 12
based on the energy transfer through handle 12 and the properties
of the shape changing polymeric material.
For example, while electrodes are disclosed, other mechanisms for
providing the requisite excitement energy may be substituted
therefore, and the present invention should not be limited to the
exemplary disclosure. Moreover, in an embodiment, the shape
changing polymer is an electrically actuated polymer (hereinafter
"EAP"). For brevity, the exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure employs an electronic EAP (such as, for example,
ferroelectric polymers, electrets, dielectric elastomers and
electrostictive graft elastomers); however, based on this
disclosure, it will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in
the art that the principles hereof can be extended to and employed
by ionic EAPs (such as, for example, ionic polymer gels, ionomeric
poylmer-metal composites, conductive polymers and carbon
nanotubes).
In an embodiment, the EAP is provided as the shape-changing polymer
18 to allow handle 12 to deploy and stow based on an electrical
charge applied there-across. As described above, the electrical
charge is generated between first and second electrodes 20, 22. By
this arrangement, upon being exposed to an electric charge or a
voltage drop across the shape-changing polymer 18 or EAP, the
handle 12 expands. Upon expansion of the handle 12, the handle 12
becoming generally elongated such that the handle 12 may deploy to
a use position, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4.
Similarly, upon removal of the foregoing electric charge, the
handle 12 contracts to thereby contract into a stowed position that
is illustrated, for example, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3.
Referring to all the figures, in an embodiment, handle 12 includes
a first mount 24 and a second mount 26. With specific reference to
FIGS. 3 and 4, in an embodiment, handle 12 is deployably-arranged
on headliner 16 at a first junction 28 and a second junction 30
such that handle 12 is fixed at these junctions via first mount 24
and second mount 26. Fixing the handle 12 by first mount 24 and
second mount 26 in the foregoing manner results in handle 12
extending outward when energized, as exemplarily illustrated in
FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates a mid-point 27
of handle 12 displaced a distance, X, when moved from the stowed
position to the deployed position.
In an embodiment, the electric charge is communicated to handle 12
between first electrode 20 and a second electrode 22. First and
second electrodes 20, 22 are in electrical communication with an
electrical power source (not shown). In an embodiment, first and
second electrodes 20, 22 receive the requisite electrical power by
way of current carrying conductors 32 concealed in the headliner
16. For example, an electrical interface could be built directly
into headliner 16 such that headliner 16 conceals an electrical
conductor 32 or, in the alternative, headliner 16 itself could
function as the medium for conducting current to and from
electrodes 20, 22. While the foregoing specific examples are
provided to bring power to handle 12, the inventive handle 12 shall
be entitled to the broad spirit and scope and should not be limited
thereby.
Referring back to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in an embodiment, headliner 16
may further define a handle stowage area 34, such as, for example,
a recess between first junction 20 and second junction 22. In an
embodiment, when handle 12 is in the stowed position (i.e. not
energized), as depicted in FIG. 1, a top or surface portion of
handle 12 may become generally planar and flush with an outer or
A-surface of the headliner 16. Accordingly, the handle 12 nests
within and fills recess 34 such that surface portion of the handle
12 and the A-surface of the headliner 16 substantially define a
headliner having a continuous, flush A-surface.
In an embodiment, handle 12 can be adapted to deploy in response to
a predefined activity, occurrence or event. In an embodiment, a
sensor 36 or the like is arranged in concert with handle 12 such
that upon sensing a predefined condition (such as movement of an
object, such as, for example, a user's hand, proximate to the
handle 12), the handle 12 becomes energized, and therefore, moves
from the stowed position to a deployed position.
As mentioned above, it will be appreciated that the vehicular panel
14 may be an exterior vehicle panel; as such, the handle 12 may be
an exterior handle that permits a user to open and close a
passenger compartment door 14. Accordingly, a sensor 36 may also be
provided in, on, or proximate an exteriorly-mounted handle 12 such
that the handle 12. In an embodiment, the handle 12 may be
originally provided in a stowed, nested position to provide a
"handless" appearance to the passenger compartment door; when a
vehicle operator or passenger approaches the vehicle, the sensor 36
may detect the operator or passenger and thereby cause the handle
12 to be moved from the stowed position to a presented, deployed
position.
While movement of the handle 12 has been exemplary discussed as a
conditional, predefined situation such that sensing motion is a
predefined activity, upon considering this disclosure, various
other predefined activities and conditions may similarly be
substituted, and therefore, such conditions or activities may be
used alone or in combination therewith. For example, handle 12 may
be made to deploy upon any number of predefined activities
including, for example, sensing the movement of a passenger
compartment door (i.e., the passenger compartment door is moved
from a closed position to an open position). In another embodiment,
the sensed condition or activity may be a predefined speed of the
vehicle. In another embodiment, the sensed condition or activity
may be a predefined or change in tire pressure, which may occur,
for example, during a turn or cornering of a vehicle at a high
speed thereby imparting a centrifugal force to the vehicle,
occupants, or the like. Accordingly, a variety of sensors may be
disposed throughout the vehicle that may sense a variety of
activities or conditions other than movement of an object proximate
the handle 12.
In an embodiment, a shape imparter 38 or the like may be arranged
within the handle for imparting shape or the like. For example,
shape imparter 38 could be a spring disposed within the handle 12
to generally impart a shape to handle 12 when energized and/or when
de-energized. These and other shape imparting structures and
technologies will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the
art upon considering this disclosure.
The present invention has been particularly shown and described
with reference to the foregoing embodiments, which are merely
illustrative of the best modes for carrying out the invention. It
should be understood by those skilled in the art that various
alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein
may be employed in practicing the invention without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following
claims. It is intended that the following claims define the scope
of the invention and that the method and apparatus within the scope
of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby. This
description of the invention should be understood to include all
novel and non-obvious combinations of elements described herein,
and claims may be presented in this or a later application to any
novel and non-obvious combination of these elements. Moreover, the
foregoing embodiments are illustrative, and no single feature or
element is essential to all possible combinations that may be
claimed in this or a later application.
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